Adjustable extension-hanger.



No. 761,757. PAIENTED JUNE 7, 1904.

j H. s. BURLEY.

ADJUSTABLE EXTENSION HANGER.

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PATENTED JUNE 7, 190

H. s. BURLBY. ADJUSTABLEBXTENSION HANGER.

APPLIOATIOHTILED APR. 6, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented June 7, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. BURLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO BLAIR A. ESTEP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE EXTENSION-HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 761,757, dated June '7, 1904.

Applicatiomfiled April 6,1903. Serial No. 151,301. No model.)

To all whom lt may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY S. BuRLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of (1111- cage, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvemen ts in AdjustableExtension-Hangers, of which thefollowing is a full,clear, and ex- 5 act description.

The object of my invention-is to provide a simple, economically-constructed,and perfect- 1 operating extension-hanger for lamps, birdcages, &c., the operation of which is smooth and noiseless and which can be locked by a1 simple method of manipulation of'the cross- 1 bar connecting the suspending-tapes, so as to prevent either the upward movement or winding up of said tapes or the downward or paying out of the same. This I accomplish by the means hereinafter fully described and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,'Figure .1 is a plan view of my invention, showing the hanger broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section taken on dotted line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on dotted line 3 3, Fig.1, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 4 is a diametrical view comprising a part of the automaticallyreturnable spring-sheave and the case of the friction-ball clutch in cross-section. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a longitudinal section of said case, taken on dotted line 5 5, Fig. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of said case, taken on dotted line 6 6, Fig. 4:, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and a plan of a portion of the spring-sheave, showing the positionof the friction-ball in said case when looking said sheave to prevent the paying outof the tape. Fig. 7 is a similar view (excepting that a less portion of the sheave is illustrated) showing.

4 9 is a side view of the suspending-hook of said hanger.

In the'drawings, A represents two corresponding parallel hooks merging at their upper ends in a common shank which is integral with and depends from the center of a suitable escutcheon, from the center of the upper surface of which in alinement with said shank a screw projects, by means of which said hook is. secured to the ceiling.

B represents a hanger consisting of a vertical rod, theupperend ofwhich is provided with an eye a to permitof its being hung upon a single ceiling-hook, and is valso provided withlaterally-projecting studs or across-head b, which catch upon and rest in the concavity of the double hooks A when the upper end of said hanger is inserted between them, substantially as shown in Fig.3 of the drawings. The lower end of this hanger is flared out ward, and asuitable screw 0 extends centrally downward therefrom through the bosses of the brackets d and e, from which the arms ex tend, in the ends of which the sheaves used in connection with my invention are journaled, as will hereinafter be fully described. This screw extends beyond these bosses down through a centralopening in a suitable canopy E and has a nut 0 on its lower end, by tightening up which said canopy and the bosses of said arms are clamped and securely held in the relative positions shown between the flared lower end of said hanger and said nut. The arms f and. 9 project from opposite sides of the boss of bracket d and then extend laterally therefrom parallel to each other in an upwardly-inclined direction and have openings in their extremities for the ends of the stationary spindle G, which is keyed and held against longitudinal displacement in said ends by the transaxial pins G. Journaled on spindle Gr between said arms is an automatically-returnable sheave H, the periphery of which is concave and is divided by a central flange 7t into two corresponding circumferential channels within which the thin steel tapes I and J are respectively wound. The periphery and one side of this sheave are preferably cast in one piece and so constructed as to form an interior chamber, the open side of which is closed by a circular or other suitably-shaped side plate 71. A spiral clockspring A: for returning the sheave to its original position and automatically rewinding the tapes thereon when the same have been paid out is housed within this interior chamber of the sheave and has its inner end fastened by being inserted through a longitudinal slot 7' in spindle G, and its outer end is suitably secured to the circumferential walls of said sheave by a coupling K.

Coupling K comprises a V-shaped piece of wire, the angle of which is bent in one direction to form a hook upon which the outer end of the spring 70 is caught and the ends of which are inserted through suitable perforati ons in the circumferential walls of the sheave H, intothe channels in which the tapes are wound and bent in a direction opposite to that in which its angle is bent to form hooks that extend through suitable openings in the ends of said tapes to retain the same, substantially as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 of the drawings. The tape is woundin a direction opposite to the winding of the spring it. Thus when the tapes. unwind said spring winds up and are rewound upon the sheave when said spring unwinds as the latter automatically seeks its position of rest.

- Tape I vertically extends down fromv sheave H through an opening m made in the canopy in the vertical plane of the segment of the sheave opposite the hanger; but tape J extends under and around said sheave H and then up over and around a sheave L, the groove in the peripheryof which is an alinement with the groove of the sheave H, in which said tape J iswound, in a vertical plane striking diametrically through the center of the canopy,

. substantially as shown.

From sheave L tape J extends vertically down through an opening a in the said canopy located substantially diametrically opposite opening In. This sheave L is journaled in theends of parallel arms 0 0,

projecting from the boss of bracket 6 in a direction diametrically opposite that of arms f and g. Tapes I and J extend vertically downward below the canopy parallel to each other a suitable distance and have, preferably, connected to their lower ends in any suitable man- 7 ner metal globes 2 2, from the left-hand one of which an arrow-head 3 projects laterally and downward and from the right-hand one of I which a similar arrow-head projects upward. Suspended from the lower ends of these globes by links 5 5 is a cross-bar 6 of suitable design, which at its center of length is provided with a ring 7, the lower segment of which is cut away so as to permit of the insertion of the suspending-ring of the lamp or other object to be hung therefrom into an eye formed by said annulus. This opening is closed against the withdrawal of said suspending-ring by means of a segmental arm 8, which is pivoted at one end to the ring 7 at one side of said opening and at the other end is provided with a transverse pin 9, which when the arm is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. will catch in the recess 10 in theinner edge of the ring 7 on the opposite side of the opening and close said opening and eflectually prevent the accidental withdrawal of the suspendingring of the article to be hung thereon.

The operation of my invention, as hercinhefore described, is such that when the weight is suspended on the ring 7, the tapes I and J will automatically pay out and lower the said weight until the resistance of the spring counteracts or balances the said weight. In some instances it is desirable to prevent the descent of the weight thus suspended to the extent it otherwise would and to suspend it in a stationary position at a certain altitude, and in other instances it is desirable when it is desired to remove the said weight for any purpose whatsoever to prevent said tapes from :uitomatically rewinding. To insure the proper operation of my invention, it is necessary that the point of suspension of the invention he directly over the center of gravity thereof. This I accomplish by bending the hanger B laterally, as shown, and to provide a suitable simple friction-clutch, which by slightly tilting the canopy will lock and prevent the sheave H from revolving in one direction and by tilting the said canopy slightly in the opposite direction will lock said sheave H from revolving the other way. .This friction-clutch comprises a rectangular oblong horizontal boxshaped case R, which is made integral with arm gin a horizontal plane near the outer circumference of the permanently-closed side of sheave H, preferably below its center. The top, bottom, ends, and longitudinal side of this case farthest from said sheave are closed; but the longitudinal side thereof next said sheave is open. The floor r of the case is inclined at a corresponding angle from each end thereof to its center of length, and the inner surface a" of the longitudinal side of the case opposite sheave R is made in two vertical planes that converge at a reentrant angle from the ends of the case to the center of length thereof, where the width of the chamber inclosed in said case is the widest, substantially as shown in Figs. .4, 6, and 7 of the drawings. Confined within the interior chamber of the case is a ball S, which is preferably made of metal and is of such diameter that when located in the central portion of the case it will not crowd against the side of the sheave; but when at the limit of its movement in either direction it will be wedged between the side of said sheave and the opposite vertical wall of the case so tightly as to prevent the further movementof the sheave. in a direction toward the end of the case in which said ball will be located. \Vhen the case is hanger is suspended in its natural position,

' the ball will gravitate to the center of length oal double sheave; 'a suspending-tape wound of the chamber and be out of. operative-engagement with the sheave; but when it is desired to lock said sheave to prevent its winding or its unwinding the canopy is inclined by simply grasping and moving the cross-bar 7 sidewise in the opposite direction it is desired the ball to gravitate. This causes the ball to roll to'one end of the case and wedge "against the sheave'and lock it against motion in that direction, as hereinbefore described;

What 1 claim as new is'- I 1.- An extension-hanger comprising a vertithereon; and independent gravity-controlled means for locking said sheaveagainst revolution in either one of two directions.

2. An extension-hanger comprising avertical double sheave; the 'suspending-tape wound therein; and a clutch comprising a ball having a limited horizontal movement'parallel to the side of said sheave and adapted to wedge against and lock the same at the extreme of its movement in either direction.

7 3. An extension-hanger comprising a double sheave; the tape wound thereon; and a clutch" comprising 'a suitablecase adjacent to said sheave having ahorizontally-elongated chamber therein the vertical wall of which opposite the said sheave being arranged in inversely-converging planes which meet at about the center of length thereof, and a ball having a limited longitudinal movement therein parallel to said sheave and adapted to wedge againstarid lock the same at the extremes of its movement in either direction.

4. An extension-hanger comprising a double sheave; the tape wound thereon; anda clutch comprising a suitable case adjacent to said sheave havinga 'horizontally-elongated chamber'therein the vertical wall of which opposite the said sheave being arranged in inversely-converging planes which meet at about the center of length thereof, a floor that inclines downward from its ends toward its center of length, an d a ball having a limited longitudinal movement therein parallel to said sheave and adapted to wedge against and lock the same at the extremes of its movement in either direction.

5. An extension-hanger comprising a double sheave, the axis of which is horizontal; two tapes wound thereon; 'asingle sheave, the axis of-which is also horizontal, over which one of said tapes passes, and which revolves in the samevertical plane as said double sheave; and independent means for locking said double sheave against revolution in either one of two directions.

6. An extension-hanger comprising a double sheave; two tapes wound thereon; a single sheave over which one of said tapes passes and which is 1n ahnement with the double revolution in either one of two directions.

7. An extension hanger comprising an automatically-returnable double sheave, the axis of which is horizontal; two tapes wound thereon; a single sheave-the axis of which is also horizontal, over which oneot' said tapes passes; and which revolves in the same vertical plane as said double sheave; and independent means for lockingsaid double sheave against revolution in either one of two directions.

8. An extension-hanger comprising an autornatically returnable double sheave; two tapes wound thereon;- asinglesheave over which one of said tapes passes and which is in alinement with the double sheave; and independent gravity-controlled means for locking said double sheave against revolution in either one of two directions.

' 9. An extension-hanger comprising a vertical hanger the lower end of which is screwthreaded; a boss having substantially parallel arms having the ends of a spindle secured therein; anautomaticallyretu'rnable double 'sheave journaled on said spindle between said -arms;ia boss-having arms prO ectng 1n a d1- rection opposite to those between which said double sheave is journaled; a single sheave journaled in the ends of the same; a canopy; a nut on the lower screw-threaded end ofsaid hanger; tapes wound upon said double-sheave one of which extends vertically down there from througha suitable opening in said canopy and the other of which extends therefrom around and over said single sheave and then vertically down through said canopy; and across-bar connecting the pendent ends of said tapes.

10. An' extension-hanger comprising a vertical hanger the lower end of which is screw-- threaded; a boss having substantially parallel arms having the ends of a spindle secured therein; an automatically-returnable double sheave journaled on said spindle between said arms; a boss having arms projecting in a directionopposite to those between which said double sheave is journaled; a single. sheave journaled in the ends of the same; a canopy; a nut on the lower screw-threaded end of said hanger; tapes wound upon said double sheave one of which extends vertically down therefrom througha suitable opening in said canopy and the other of which extends therefrom around-and over said single sheave and then vertically down through said canopy; a cross-bar connecting the pendent ends of said tapes formed with an annulus at its center of length the lower segment of which is cut away at one sideof said opening anda pivoted arm provided with lateral pins adapted to enter recesses in the inner edge of said annulus at the other side of said opening therein.

&

thereof, and lateral studs projecting from the same above said eye and having its lower end screw-threaded; a boss having substantially parallel arms having the ends of a spindle secured therein; an automatically returnable double sheave journaled on said spindle between said arms; a boss having arms projecting in a direction opposite to those between which said double sheave is journaled; a single sheave journaled in the ends of the same; a canopy; a nut on the lower screw-threaded end of said hanger; tapes wound upon said double sheave one end of which extends vertically down therefrom through a suitable opening in said canopy and the other of which extends therefrom around and over said single sheave and then vertically down through said canopy; and a cross-bar connecting the pendent ends of said tapes.

12. In an extension-hanger the combination with a ceiling-screw comprising two corresponding parallel hooks united at their upper ends in a common shank, an escutcheon, and a screw projecting vertically from the center of said escutcheon; of a hanger comprising a pendent rod having an eye formed in the upper end thereof, and lateral studs projecting from the same above said eye and having its lower end screw-threaded; a boss having substantially parallel arms having the ends of a spindle secured therein; an automatically-returnable double sheave journaled on said spindle between said arms; a boss having arms projecting in a direction opposite to those between which said double sheave is journaled; a single sheave journaled in the ends of the same; a canopy; a nut on the lower screwthreaded end of said hanger; tapes wound upon said double sheave one of which extends vertically down therefrom through a suitable opening in said canopy and the other of which extends therefrom around and over said single sheave and then vertically down through said canopy; and a cross-bar connecting the pendent ends of said tapes.

13. An extensionhanger comprising a hanger consisting of a vertical rod having its lower end screw-threaded, a boss through which said screw-threaded portion extends which has two substantially parallel arms, a stationary spindle secured in the end of said arms having one end thereof slit longitudinally; a hollow sheave having two circumferential channels therein; a clock-spring the inner end of which is secured in the slit of said spindle and the outer end secured to the circumferential walls of said sheave; suspending-tapes wound in the channels of said sheave; and a V-shaped coupling the angle of which is bent to form a hook to which the outer end of said spring is secured and the ends of said coupling extending through the circumferential walls of the sheave and bent in the opposite direction and forming hooks towhich the inner ends of the tapes are secured.

14. An extensionhanger comprising suitable suspending devices; a boss secured thereto having substantially parallel arms one of which has a horizontally-disposed case having a horizontally-elongated chamber therein open upon its inner vertical side; an automatically-returnable double sheave journaled between said arms; and a ball in the interior chamber of said case adapted to wedge between the outer vertical wall thereof and said sheave when at the limit of its movement in either direction; and suspemling-tapes wound on said sheave.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day of April, 1903.

HARRY S. BURLEY.

Witnesses:

BLAIR A. Es'rnr, FRANK 1). 'lnoiuAsoN. 

